Vernon Davis’ supposed audacity needs context

As sportswriters we’re always on the alert for buzz words and phrases. For example, when an athlete makes a bold prediction we devour it like manna. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis showered us with manna lately by saying the 49ers should be in the Super Bowl and then followed that up last week in appearance before Coolidge High School students in Washington D.C. in which he said, “I will be the best tight end to ever play this game. I have a vision.”

As sportswriters and bloggers we are supposed to be shocked by Davis’ audacity. Looking at the receiving statistics, Davis is nowhere near the best tight end in the league, much less in league history. However, those stats are low-hanging fruit as coach Jim Harbaugh would say, meaning they can lead one to make facile judgments about a tight end’s worth. For example, they don’t take into account Davis’ blocking, which might be the best of any tight end starter in the league. So good in fact, it prompted former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz to label Davis the best pass protector on the team. And that statement doesn’t take into account Davis’ run-blocking, which is superb.

And speaking of statements, the one Davis uttered above should be taken in context. He was trying to inspire high school students, and according to television station WUSA, his comment received thunderous applause. In a follow up interview by the station he was asked how he could become the best of all time.

“Hard work, having a plan,” he said. Now what is wrong with those five words? Particularly when they are spoken on a high school campus? Isn’t that what we want for youngsters who are trying to make it in an uncertain world to work hard and have a plan?

Davis’ audacious statement also obscured something else. Davis told the students he was on probation as a sixth-grader. Now, he’s wildly successful in his chosen field and is looked upon as a team leader. What happened? When did Davis make this transformation?

That’s a far more interesting and inspiring story than Davis’ goal of becoming the best tight end in history.

As sportswriters, we would benefit from changing our focus from hackneyed buzz words to real stories. Vernon Davis would certainly benefit from that and so would the rest of us.